New York and Sarasota, FL (January 15, 2015) – The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and American Accounting Association (AAA), the founding co-sponsors of the Pathways Commission on Accounting Higher Education, are pleased to announce developments in the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.

With more than 75 volunteers currently working on more than 17 task forces, the Commission has made substantial progress on a number of important recommendations stemming from the Commission’s report:

Proposal for an Advanced Placement Course in Accounting. The Pathways Commission has been working with The College Board, which provides AP courses in high schools, to propose an AP Course in Accounting.

Development and Distribution of the Pathways Vision Model. The Model emphasizes the importance of professional judgment, the complex thinking that it involves, and the critical role accountants play in the success of corporations, firms, organizations and governments around the world.

Integration of Professionally Oriented Faculty. Many colleges and universities are engaging professionally oriented faculty to help bring business-world experience into the classroom and help inform academic research. The Pathways Commission has developed a summary of leading practices, and a set of principles for effectively integrating these members into accounting departments and schools, asking department chairs to sign on as adopters of the principles.

Expansion of an AAA Auditing Section “boot camp” program. The program works to incorporate current practice issues into accounting classes and research. In the coming year boot camps are planned for management accounting, tax, and accounting information systems.

“Accountants play a crucial role in the economy. Therefore, ensuring that our pipeline of talent is supported by an education system that meets the evolving demands of an increasingly complex profession is of the utmost importance,” said Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, president and CEO of the AICPA. “Thanks to the hard work of the co-chairs and our volunteers over the past three years, the Pathways Commission has made tremendous progress towards this goal.”

The AICPA and AAA together formed the Pathways Commission in 2010 to study possible future paths of higher education for those seeking entry into the accounting profession. The Pathways Commission began its work by seeking input across the wide spectrum of the accounting community.

Recommendations developed through that process were published in a 2012 report. At that time, the AICPA and AAA agreed to continue their support for another three years, and the Commission has since been working on implementation of projects stemming from the report’s recommendations.

To ensure continued progress towards the successful implementation of the recommendations of the Commission and to capitalize on the momentum that has been created, the AICPA and AAA are transitioning ongoing projects into their respective organizations during the coming year. The transition will be complete by August 1, 2015.

“As an educator committed to accounting as a learned profession, I am enthusiastic about continuing work toward Pathways-inspired goals to advance the future of accounting through connecting education and research to practice in service of the public interest,” said Tracey Sutherland, AAA executive director.

Both the AAA and AICPA will continue to create important opportunities for academics and practitioners to collaborate to accomplish Pathways-inspired initiatives.

Sanjay Gupta, Acting Dean and Russell E. Palmer Endowed Professor of Accounting, Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University

Dana Hermanson, Dinos Eminent Scholar Chair of Private Enterprise and Professor of Accounting, Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University

William Holder, Dean and Alan Casdan Dean’s Chair, Professor of Accounting, Leventhal School of Accounting, University of Southern California

Gail Hoover King, Professor of Accounting, Purdue University Calumet

Mark Peecher, Deloitte Professor of Accountancy, College of Business, University of Illinois

Terry Shevlin, Professor of Accounting and Director PhD Program, Paul Merage School of Business, University of California-Irvine

D. Scott Showalter, Professor of Practice, Poole College of Management, North Carolina State University

Mikel Tiller, Chair of Graduate Programs, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University

Jan Williams, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, University of Tennessee

Jim Young, Chair and Crowe Horwath Professor of Accountancy, College of Business, Northern Illinois University

More information on the Pathways Commission is available online. The website will continue to host archival information and post updates to make them available to the accounting community.

About AAA
The American Accounting Association is the largest community of accountants in academia. Founded in 1916, we have a rich and reputable history built on leading-edge research and publications and leadership in accounting education. The diversity of our membership creates a fertile environment for collaboration and innovation. Collectively, we shape the future of accounting through teaching, research, and a strong network with the broad community of practice.

About AICPA
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the accounting profession, with more than 400,000 members in 145 countries, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting.

The AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, nonprofit organizations, federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, and offers specialty credentials for CPAs who concentrate on personal financial planning; forensic accounting; business valuation; and information management and technology assurance. Through a joint venture with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), it has established the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation which sets a new standard for global recognition of management accounting.